Undrafted Feleipe Franks learning from Matt Ryan, fighting for Falcons backup job
The Atlanta Falcons opted to not take a quarterback with the fourth-overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. But the Falcons are not staying away from adding depth to their quarterback room.
Former Arkansas and Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Falcons in May. And throughout training camp he has been following around Matt Ryan, trying to learn everything he can, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
“And here’s another name to keep in mind, especially as you get into preseason — because you’re going to see a lot of him — rookie quarterback Feleipe Franks,” Pelissero said on Tuesday morning on the NFL Network’s Inside Training Camp Live. “Huge guy with a huge arm. Started out at the University of Florida. Got hurt there. Kyle Trask took over. Transferred to Arkansas. Was a surprise that he did not up getting drafted.
“From what I’m told, he’s been following Matt Ryan around the building like a puppy dog, soaking up everything that he possibly can. Look for Franks to be one of those guys who jumps out in the preseason, guys.”
Importance Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback
The reason why Atlanta did not take a quarterback with the fourth-overall pick in the draft was because it still has faith in Matt Ryan. So, the Falcons took Kyle Pitts to give Ryan another weapon.
But the former Boston College quarterback is not getting any younger. Still, Ryan, 36, has the support of the Falcons ownership and coaching staff. He completed 65% of his passes last season, too, throwing for 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Ryan has consistently been a top-10 quarterback in the league since he entered it in 2008. But the time is coming for the Falcons to identify their next quarterback star and make sure they have a reliable player at backup.
Enter Feleipe Franks. The former Florida and Arkansas quarterback is challenging A.J. McCarron for the backup job. While Atlanta preferred having veteran Matt Schaub as its backup quarterback the last five seasons, McCarron has just 174 career passing attempts, most of which came back in 2015.
The case for Feleipe Franks
Franks bounced around during his time in the college ranks, starting off at Florida before transferring to Georgia.
He emerged as the Gators starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman, and helped lead Florida’s turnaround as a redshirt sophomore. He threw for 2,457 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns in 2018 as Florida went 10-3 and won the Peach Bowl.
But the following season, he was carted off the field in the third game of the season. Franks missed the rest of the season with a broken ankle injury, while Kyle Trask cemented himself as Florida’s starter. Franks announced he was transferring to Arkansas after the season.
In his only season with the Razorbacks, Franks showed his NFL potential. He was named one of Arkansas’ four captains and engineered its win over Mississippi State. The victory marked the end of the Razorbacks’ 20-game SEC losing streak.
He showed off his accuracy and decision-making last season, completing 68.5% of his passes for 2,107 yards and 17 touchdowns.